TransportGooru

Friday, August 6, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

Bernie’s Notes

Sometimes when traveling I’ve made it a point to meet TCN readers. It’s a great opportunity to not only meet face-to-face, but to learn a bit about you and your company. Just last week I had great meetings with several TCN readers in Vermont and New Hampshire. That’s caused me to think that I’m overlooking the chance to meet TCN readers in my own backyard; the New Jersey, New York City area. If you’re either in this area or expect to be visiting and would like to get together, please drop me a note at bernie@bwcommunications.net

AVIATION

1) Air Traffic Technologies Get Boost from US Senate Appropriators

Link to article on Nextgov:

http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100805_2074.php

2) A Year After Fatal Collision, Critics Say Not Enough Being Done to Make Northern New Jersey Skies Safer

Critics say not enough being done to improve communications and better track aircraft.

Link to article in The Record:

http://www.northjersey.com/news/080610_Critics_say_not_enough_being_done_to_make_North_Jersey_skies_safer.html

3) Airservices Australia Unveils Major Air Navigation Upgrade Program

Link to article in LogisticsWeek:

http://logisticsweek.com/air/2010/08/australia-unveils-major-air-navigation-upgrade-programme/

4) iPad, Lower Prices May Increase Wi-Fi Usage on Planes

Link to article from The Online Reporter:

http://www.airportbusiness.com/publication/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=38622

5) National Institute for Aviation Research Launches Aging Aircraft Maintenance Web Site

Link to article on AVweb:

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/aging_aircraft_maintenance_site_203081-1.html

6) Next Generation Air Transportation System: FAA and NASA Have Improved Human Factors Research Coordination, but Stronger Leadership Needed

Link to GAO report:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10824.pdf

BICYCLES

7) Apple Introduces Us to the Smart Bike

Link to blog on Patently Apple:

http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2010/08/apple-introduces-us-to-the-smart-bike.html

CAMERAS

8) Maryland to Create Statewide Database for License Plate Readers

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/767477

OTHER

9) Florida to Employees: Keep that Tweet (and Status Update, IM, SMS, etc.)

Link to article in Federal Computer Week:

http://fcw.com/articles/2010/08/05/web-state-of-florida-record-keeping-electronic.aspx

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

10) Iowa Photo Shoot to Accent Transport Options

Pictures will contrast the amount of space needed to transport the same number of people by car, bus or bicycle.

Link to article in The Des Moines Register:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100806/NEWS/100805055/-1/SPORTS12/Photo-shoot-to-accent-transport-options

RAILROADS

11) Wisconsin Releases Previously Lost Train Records

Link to AP article:

http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/100018064.html

12) Eurostar Offers Redesigned Web Site

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/26/eurostar-offers-redesigned-web-site/

ROADWAYS

13) Warning Over ‘Steal a Road Cone’ Day in New Zealand

Link to ONE News story:

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/warning-over-steal-road-cone-3687335

TRANSIT

14) Bus Cameras Show Fatal Injury from New Angle

Link to article from the Connecticut Law Tribune:

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202464110184

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Georgia DOT Takes Traffic Light Timing Regional

Coordination will attempt to circumvent challenges of multiple jurisdictions.

Link to article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/dot-takes-traffic-light-585959.html

VEHICLES

16) Street Smarts

Driverless cars may be closer than you think but there are some issues to overcome.

Link to blog in The New York Times:

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/06/street-smarts/

17) IntelliDrive System Engineering User Needs Workshops

Link to further information from the Research and Innovative Technology Administration:

http://www.its.dot.gov/press/2010/intellidrive_engineering.htm

News Releases

1) DC Metro Invites Software Developers to Discuss New Transit Data Feed

2) ‘Smart Intersection’ Introduced for Improved Safety and Mobility of Owosso, Michigan’s Surface Transportation System

3) Heading to Orange Beach or Gulf Shores, Alabama? Drop Off Cell Phones at the Beach Express (BEX) and Help Soldiers Call Home

4) UK Hauliers Sign Up to Improved Free-to-Use Web Site for Abnormal Loads

Job Postings

– Economist – Research and Innovative Technology Administration – Cambridge, Massachusetts

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=89697524&JobTitle=Economist

Upcoming Events

Telematics Japan 2010 – October 13-14 – Tokyo

http://www.telematicsupdate.com/japan

Friday Bonus

How Gulliver’s skateboard might have looked to the Lilliputians.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU1qSSZDPws&feature=player_embedded

Today in Transportation History

1945 **65^th anniversary** The Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan during World War II.

http://www.time.com/time/2005/hiroshima/

======================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net. 

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast www.bwcommunications.net

Thursday, August 5, 2010 – ISSN 1529-1057

IBTTA 78th Annual Meeting & Exhibition — Register Today! Early Bird Discount Ends August 22, 2010

Come to San Diego, September 12-15, 2010, for IBTTA’s 78th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, the year’s most highly-anticipated learning and networking event — attracting more than 700 toll industry experts and decision makers from across the globe. Under the theme, Sustainable Transportation, the technical program offers tracks focused on innovation, policy, the economy, and the California tolling experience. Hosted by the California Toll Operators Committee (CTOC), this event features interactive seminars, influential speakers, technical tours and special events, informative exhibits and more! Customized sponsorship and exhibitor packages are available. Visit IBTTA’s website for details.

AVIATION

1) July Issue of the National Weather Service’s The Front Online

Link to newsletter:

http://www.weather.gov/os/aviation/front/10july-front.pdf

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) DeLorme Unveils First Text Satellite Messaging GPS Handheld Device

Link to article in International Business Times:

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/41123/20100805/delorme-gps-amazon-satellite-communicator-earthmate-google-maps.htm

3) GPS-Equipped Glasses are a Personal Navigation System

Link to article and video on CrunchGear:

http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/08/03/video-this-pair-of-glasses-is-actually-a-personal-navigation-system/

OTHER

4) Should Videotaping the Police Really Be a Crime?

Link to commentary in Time:

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2008566,00.html

5) The Tragic State of Pitching the Geospatial Press

Link to commentary in Directions Magazine:

http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=3558

6) Social Media in the Transportation Industry: Implications for Change

Link to audio files and presentations from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority:

http://www.njtpa.org/Involved/events/SocialMediaSymposium.aspx

7) Can Australia’s TravelSmart Work in the US?

Link to audio and PowerPoint presentation by Randy Salzman:

http://www.njtpa.org/Involved/Events/TravelSmart_Presentation.aspx

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

8) Web Site Sheds Light on Pennsylvania Transportation Crisis

Link to article in the Standard Speaker:

http://standardspeaker.com/news/website-sheds-light-on-transportation-crisis-1.922617

9) Minnesota Launches ‘No Texting While Driving’ Campaign

Link to AP article:

http://wcco.com/local/texting.while.driving.2.1844013.html

RAILROADS

10) CREATE Partners Create Web Site for 75^th Street Corridor Project

Link to article in Progressive Railroading:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=24020

Link to site: http://www.75thcip.org/

SAFETY / SECURITY

11) US Department of Homeland Security and FEMA Invite Comments to National Dialogue on Preparedness

Link to further information:

http://preparedness.ideascale.com/

TRANSIT

12) Beloit (Wisconsin) Transit Using Bingo to Attract Bus Riders

Link to story and video on WISC-TV:

http://www.channel3000.com/traffic/24518073/detail.html

13) Transit Buddies to Help Newcomers Navigate Arkansas Bus System

Link to article in The Sun:

http://www.jonesborosun.com/story.php?ID=44173

14) A Case for Open Data in Transit

Link to blog and video on Streetfilms.org:

http://www.streetfilms.org/a-case-for-open-data-in-transit/

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) Time Warner Cable’s NY1 Preps 24-Hour Traffic Channel

Link to article in Multichannel News:

http://www.multichannel.com/article/455675-Time_Warner_Cable_s_NY1_Preps_24_Hour_Traffic_Channel.php

16) Qatar to Get Smart Traffic System

Link to article in Zawya:

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100805054524

VEHICLES

17) Experts Debate How Connected Vehicles Will Talk to Each Other

Link to article on The Detroit Bureau:

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2010/08/experts-debate-how-connected-vehicles-will-talk-to-each-other/

18) Car Tech: Building the Zero-Fatality Car

Link to article in Computerworld:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9179697/Car_tech_Building_the_zero_fatality_car

19) Back to the Futurama with Cooperative Mobility

Link to blog on Mobile Synergetics:

http://www.mobilesynergetics.com/cooperative-mobility-futurama/

News Releases

1) Akron-Canton Airport Launches New Advertising Campaign: Intervention

Upcoming Events

2010 National Signage Research & Education Conference – October 13-14 – Cincinnati

http://www.thesignagefoundation.org/conference/

Today in Transportation History

1620 **390^th anniversary** The Mayflower left on its first attempted voyage to North America. Due to a leak on a companion ship, the vessels had to return.

http://www.archive.org/stream/mayflowerherlogj00ames#page/n9/mode/2up

1930 **80^th anniversary** Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon, was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio.

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/armstrong-na.html

=====================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN? Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at bernie@bwcommunications.net. 

© 2010 Bernie Wagenblast www.bwcommunications.net

(Source: The FastLane Blog)

Sec. Ray LaHood is leaving no stones unturned in his effort to fight the Distracted Driving epidemic.  I reported yesterday about his efforts to team-up with ESPN and State Farm, taking the STOP DISTRACTED DRIVING message on road to 19 cities.  It is better and better by the day! In his blog post today, he announced that USDOT is expanding this initiative to involve private employers from around the country.  Laudable effort!

In 2008, nearly 6,000 people in America died in crashes involving a distracted driver. It is a serious, life-threatening epidemic, and DOT cannot fight it alone.

One of the most important sources of support has been private employers. Businesses across the US have begun to adopt policies against distracted driving.

But many employers have not yet taken this crucial step to protect themselves and their staff. That’s why, as Drive Safely Work Week (October 4-8) approaches, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) has prepared a free, web-based toolkit to help employers take the crucial next step.

Click here to read the entire blog post

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• Lobbyists Scrap Plans for Distracted Driving Coalition (bits.blogs.nytimes.com)
• Lobbyists Try to Reframe Distracted Driving Issue (bits.blogs.nytimes.com)
• LaHood, Sparks Team Up Against Texting And Driving (techdailydose.nationaljournal.com)
• 86 Percent of Teens Have Driven While Distracted, According to AAA and Seventeen Magazine Survey (prnewswire.com)
• Survey: Most teens have driven while distracted (news.cnet.com)
• Employers Pay Attention to Distracted Driving (eon.businesswire.com)
• Network of Employers for Traffic Safety and U.S. Department of Transportation Team to Offer Free On-line Resource to Battle Distracted Driving and Improve Employee Safety (eon.businesswire.com)

Members of the local non-profit Urban Ambassadors organized the event, dubbed “Shoot Your Commute,” because of the image’s ability to convey the benefits of alternative transportation. They believe a localized version would be more meaningful to residents of Greater Des Moines.

Des Moines-based photographer Tobin Bennett will shoot the localized version on East Locust with the state Capitol building framed in the background.

The public is welcome to attend the photo shoot from 2 – 4 p.m. Sunday on East Locust between East Fourth Street and East Sixth Street. Traffic on those blocks will be blocked during that time.

Those interested in volunteering for the photo shoot can call 515-491-0706, e-mail adamhammes@gmail.com or sign up on Facebook.

(Source: Xinhua)

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has agreed to add Amsterdam‘s famous canal belt to the World Heritage List, the Dutch government said on Sunday.

The Amsterdam’s canal belt, completed in the 17th century, is unique in the world as an artwork of urban construction and architecture design. It is also an embodiment of Dutch “Golden Century,” a time when Amsterdam had a booming development in politics, economy and culture, said the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

Click here to read the entire article

P7SNF5Q4PPCT

Related articles by Zemanta

• UNESCO adds 21 new World Heritage sites (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Unesco to expand World Heritage List (globalnation.inquirer.net)
• World Heritage Sites Recognize the Best of Humanity (weuropetravel.suite101.com)
• Unesco Adds 21 Sites to World Heritage List (intransit.blogs.nytimes.com)
• UNESCO to decide on World Heritage Status for Amsterdam canal ring (gadling.com)
• World Heritage Sites Celebrate the Best (weuropetravel.suite101.com)
• Diving Into the History of Amsterdam’s Canals (intransit.blogs.nytimes.com)